The very nature of interstate war puts innocent civilians into great jeopardy, especially with modern technology

The very nature of interstate war puts innocent civilians into great jeopardy, especially with modern technology

Murray Rothbard, a prominent libertarian economist and political theorist, would likely argue that the very nature of interstate war puts innocent civilians into great jeopardy, especially with modern technology. Rothbard was a staunch advocate for individual rights and non-aggression, and he believed that war, particularly interstate war, was a violation of these principles.

In Rothbard's view, the state is the primary aggressor in war, using its monopoly on violence to wage conflicts that often result in the deaths and suffering of innocent civilians. With modern technology, the destructive power of warfare has increased exponentially, making the potential harm to civilians even greater. The use of drones, precision-guided munitions, and other advanced weaponry has made it easier for states to target specific individuals or groups, but it has also increased the likelihood of collateral damage and civilian casualties.

Rothbard would argue that the state's pursuit of war is often driven by political and economic interests, rather than a genuine concern for the well-being of its citizens. He believed that war was used as a tool to expand state power, control resources, and maintain dominance over other nations. In the process, innocent civilians are caught in the crossfire, their lives and livelihoods destroyed by the actions of their own government.

Rothbard would also likely point out the moral hypocrisy of states that claim to be fighting for freedom and democracy while inflicting harm on innocent civilians in the process. He would argue that the ends do not justify the means, and that the state's use of violence and coercion in war is fundamentally unjust.